Despite being a bright, colorful bird, the Yellow-breasted Chat is hardly seen because it’s very good at hiding in the low brushy habitat that it favors. Skulking and secretive are two words commonly used to describe it. But those who look carefully are rewarded with the sight of a spectacular olive and yellow wood warbler. [...]

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Yesterday, a whopping 345 Rhinoceros Auklets were seen off the coast of Santa Cruz. Named after the rhinoceros because of a ‘horn’ on the base of its bill. The function of the small appendage is unknown and it is shed every year. Unlike other seabirds, the Rhinoceros Auklet delivers food to its nest in the [...]

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It has been fun watching the Purple Martin make its way north up the Pacific Flyway from its South American winter grounds. The bird is now solidly throughout California. This deeply-hued bird is an easy one to attract to backyards and open lands during its breeding season. This bird is desirable to attract, not only [...]

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Ever wonder where all our birds go when they head up north in spring migration? Across the U.S., millions of birds that go north for the nesting season head to Alaska. One place in particular is in the spotlight just now: the National Petroleum Reserve­–Alaska. Located on Alaska’s North Slope along the coast of the [...]

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Blue Grosbeaks have finally reached the upper edges of their range in California. Share on Facebook

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As we noted a few weeks ago, the spring migration of the Phainopepla is a little baffling. Between March and April, the bird will breed in the Sonoran Desert, then move more seriously into Arizona and California to breed in May and June. So, the bird kind of has two migrations and two breeding periods. [...]

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We wrote about the first arrivals of the Yellow-headed Blackbird back in March, but we are impressed at how the sightings keep pouring in. The brightly headed bird is hard to miss and its distinctive creaky call sounds like it would be better placed in the soundtrack of a Boris Karloff movie. The bird is [...]

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The LA Times published a story on Mission San Juan Capistrano’s attempt to bring back their Cliff Swallows: In a last-ditch effort to lure back the tiny cliff swallow, Mission San Juan Capistrano is trying to win the affections of the migratory visitor by playing the bird’s mating call throughout the mission grounds. The unromantic croak [...]

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Back in late April, we alerted all of you to a tragedy unfolding in the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. Because of a shortage of water in the Refuge, thousands of migratory waterfowl were perishing on their way north for spring migration. Our alarm prompted nearly 20,000 of you to send emails to the Secretary [...]

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For the last several weeks, we’ve been talking in this space about spring migration, the great spectacle of birds moving over great distances. But during this whole period, we’ve been ever mindful of the great California birds that aren’t going anywhere this spring. Sure, they may shift locally from one place to another to set [...]

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Reports of Grasshopper Sparrows have been constant this Pacific Migration. This small sparrow does indeed eat grasshoppers, as well as other insects, seeds, and other vegetation they forage for on the ground. The Sparrow can be hard to spot because it spends so much time on the ground, but males will perch on top of [...]

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Although the distinctive Black and White Warbler is a summer resident of the East and Canada, it does make rare appearances in California during spring migration. It is said that a precious few actually winter here. And those lucky few who get to see them here in the Golden State, it’s quite a treat, because [...]

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Cassin’s Vireo are the westernmost “solitary vireo” and they are heading to back to California from their winter grounds in Mexico. The bird breeds in dry forests on mountain’s and hillsides. Its nest is cup-shaped and suspends from a hanging tree branch. The male Cassin’s Vireo will court the female by presenting his nest building [...]

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A Bald Eagle was reported on the California birding list serve as being seen in the Richmond district of San Francisco. This bird rarely makes an appearance in the City by the Bay, which makes this spotting special. Anyone else see it? (Photo by Peter LaTourrette) Share on Facebook

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While some might say that the dull-colored Warbling Vireo might not be much to look at, it is certainly something wonderful to hear. In fact, this little migrant is known for its propensity to sing — it hardly ever stops. We’ve been enjoying the Warbling Vireo in California for some time (here’s a recent eBird [...]

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